Master of Divinity

A Master of Divinity is usually a 90 hour (give or take) program that gives a broad overview and introduction to the various aspects of Christian ministry, covering Church history, Bible survey, languages, theology, and practical ministry. A Master of Theology usually requires the M.Div. for admission and is typically focused and research oriented. The Th.M. is technically higher than the M.Div, but depending on what you want to do, one may not be better than the other. The Master of Arts in Theology is typically shorter than the M.Div. and lower on the totum pole, and is not typically for ordained ministry.

Unless you have a B.A. in theology, Bible, or ministry, you should probably pursue a M.Div., then think about Th.M. work. If you do not seek to be an elder or pastor, but simply want to do counseling or something of that sort, the M.A. may work fine.

 

hi,

I saw that you also asked about Ph.D and D.Th.

this posting is surely not answering anything of your question.....please excuse me....

may I know seminaries in your considerations now ?

Gby,

-ken-

 

A Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is the North American name for the Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) degree, a three-year undergraduate professional degree that is expected to be built upon a four-year liberal arts baccalaureate degree, just like a Bachelor of Medicine (M.B.) {M.D. in North America} or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) {Juris Doctor in the United States}. An M.Div. usually requires 81 to 96 semester hours, with 90 being very typical.

A Master of Theology is a one-year graduate degree that can be used as an advanced professional degree building upon the M.Div. or as a two-year academic degree building upon the M.A. degree. A Th.M. can be used as a terminal degree or as a stepping-stone to a Th.D. or Ph.D. For an M.Div. holder, the Th.M. usually requires 24 to 30 semester hours, including the thesis.

A Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.Th.) is essentially identical with a Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) or Master of Arts in Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.) degree. It may serve as a professional degree for those seeking a ministry position NOT requiring ordination, as a terminal degree, or as a stepping-stone to the M.Div., Th.M., or Th.D./Ph.D. It can be considered an academic degree, particularly when used as a stepping-stone or taken at a secular school. Whereas a regular academic M.A. requires about 30 semester hours, the M.A.Th./M.A.R./M.A.T.S. requires about 54 to 60 semester hours or two years of study, including the thesis.

An M.Div. is not of much use outside of ministry, but a Th.M. and a Th.D. or Ph.D. have career uses in academia, and those can be built upon the foundation of an M.Div.

One thing to remember above all, is that no informed employer outside of religious circles is likely to accept any of the above degrees from a North American source unless the school is appropriately accredited. For a seminary, that would mean accreditation by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, for an American graduate school, by a regional accrediting association such as the Middle States Association or Western States Association, and for a Canadian grad school, by its provincial educational agency. If a school is not properly accredited, it may be (or be regarded as) a diploma mill.